Mitigating Psychological Distress in the Digital Age: Mindfulness as a Protective Factor among Female IT Professionals in Malaysia
Gahyatthri Pandian, Mohd Fakardian Che Rus
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences March 30, 2026 DOI: 10.6007/ijarbss/v16-i3/28009 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quantitative correlational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 205 |
| Population | Working women employed in multinational IT companies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Mindfulness showed significant negative correlations with workplace stress (rho = -0.745) and depression (rho = -0.758) among 205 women in Kuala Lumpur's multinational IT sector, and regression analyses indicated mindfulness significantly predicted both stress and depression. The authors argue these results support mindfulness as a protective psychological resource and call for mindfulness-based workplace wellness programs and gender-sensitive mental health initiatives. |
Abstract
HRMARS - Workplace mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent in high-pressure industries, particularly within the information technology (IT) sector. Working women face compounded stressors due to professional demands and socio-cultural expectations, placing them at heightened risk of psychological distress. Mindfulness has been widely recognized as a protective factor that enhances emotional regulation and psychological resilience; however, empirical research focusing on working women in Malaysia’s IT industry remains limited. This study examined mindfulness as a predictor of workplace stress and depression among working women employed in multinational IT companies in Kuala Lumpur. Using a quantitative correlational design, data were collected from 205 participants through standardized instruments measuring mindfulness, workplace stress, and depressive symptoms. Spearman correlation and regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships and predictive effects. The results revealed significant negative relationships between mindfulness and workplace stress (? = ?0.745) and depression (? = ?0.758), indicating that higher mindfulness levels are associated with lower psychological distress. Regression analyses further confirmed mindfulness as a significant predictor of both stress and depression. These findings highlight mindfulness as a protective psychological resource for working women in high-demand professional environments. The study underscores the importance of integrating mindfulness-based strategies into workplace wellness programs and developing gender-sensitive mental health initiatives to support employee well-being in Malaysia’s technology sector.